Pubs may open 12 1/2 hours on Sundays

THE curbs could come off Sunday drinking, if the States approves Home Affairs proposals. Pubs could stay open from noon until 12.45am without any need to serve food.

The committee knows that the proposals are likely to be controversial and has listened to concerns about the possible effect on family life.

While sympathetic, it believes that Sundays have changed significantly in recent years, said committee vice-president Peter Bougourd (pictured).

Under the proposals, pubs could also open for an hour longer on the other six days, opening and closing any time between 10am and 12.45am.

Shops with a general off-licence would be able to sell beer and spirits from 8am to 9pm, 365 days a year.

A working party was set up in autumn 2000 to review the laws after a request by the Tourist Board.

There has been concern that extending opening hours could lead to an increase in drink-related public disorder and health problems.

But Deputy Bougourd said that would not necessarily be the case.

'Experience in Scotland and the Isle of Man suggests that drink-related crime has fallen as a result of greater flexibility,' he said.

The committee wants landlords to be able to choose when to open, although it said it was still too early to give them complete flexibility.

Relaxing the laws could significantly reduce the anti-social behaviour when people spilled out of all the Town's pubs at the same time, said Deputy Bougourd.

'The committee is aware of concerns that introducing a later closing time could result in increased disruption, particularly for neighbours of licensed premises,' he said.

But it did not see this as a problem as late-night venues were unlikely to be in residential areas.

* Pubs can currently serve alcohol on Sundays between noon and 3.30pm without a meal, although this concession extends only to bars with a meal permit. Drink can be served with meals between 6pm and 12.45am. Hours the rest of the week are optional between 10am and 11.45pm, with an extra hour allowed where drink is served with a meal.

PROPOSED NEW HOURS AT A GLANCE...

Pubs with a general licence: 10am to 12.45am Monday to Saturday, and noon to 12.45am on Sundays. On Christmas Day and Good Friday, from 11am to 2.30pm and from 7pm to 10.30pm.

Nightclubs: From 10am to 1.45am - no extension.

Off-licences: Would be able to sell alcohol between 8am and 9pm 365 days a year.

Social clubs: Drinking allowed from 10am to 12.45am except Sundays (noon - 12.45am). Pub hours on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Airport Bar: From 10am to 12.45am weekdays, noon to 12.45am on Sundays; Christmas Day and Good Friday, limited to terminal opening hours. Duty-free could also be sold seven days a week, with the same laws extended to the harbour if needed.

Casino licence: From 11am to 3.30am, depending on opening and closing times, seven days a week. No licence for Christmas Day or Good Friday.